Locai Labs and First Light Fusion have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore how foundational AI can accelerate fusion energy research and scientific workflows in the UK.
Locai Labs Limited, the UK’s foundational AI company, and First Light Fusion, the UK’s inertial fusion energy company and a pioneering leader in machine learning-driven simulation, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to investigate and identify viable use cases for the application of the Locai AI model for use in high energy density physics and inertial fusion energy research.
Under the terms of the non-binding agreement, both companies will investigate the application of Locai Labs’ advanced foundational AI models to support First Light Fusion’s mission of developing economically transformative fusion energy.
The research will focus on using Locai’s models to enhance and streamline technical workflows, including code development and the investigation of agentic AI systems to boost machine learning simulation productivity.
All AI processing will be conducted on First Light Fusion’s secure, air-gapped high-performance computing infrastructure in Oxford, ensuring full control over sensitive data and research environments.
This collaboration aims to increase the speed of scientific progress at First Light Fusion by leveraging a UK sovereign AI model to enhance research workflows, potentially accelerating the journey toward viable fusion power, a critical goal in the global transition to sustainable, clean energy.
The trial will also evaluate the platform’s ability to improve productivity in areas such as document management, internal communications and administrative support, showcasing the productivity potential of homegrown British AI in high-tech industrial settings.
James Drayson, CEO, Locai Labs, said: “This collaboration is a powerful example of how UK-developed foundational AI can be applied to accelerate UK scientific research and industrialisation. By combining Locai’s sustainable, British-built AI with First Light’s cutting-edge fusion research, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the clean energy future.”
Mark Thomas, First Light Fusion, CEO, said: “Harnessing the power of AI is essential as we scale our fusion programme, deepening our understanding of the underlying physics and accelerating the pace at which we test ideas, refine hypotheses and move from insight to implementation. This is British science and technology working hand-in-hand for a sustainable future.”
The MoU establishes a framework for the two companies to conduct technical feasibility studies and define the scope for a potential long-term collaboration.
A joint working group has been formed to oversee the initial phases of the collaboration.
